How to Choose the Right Lighting for Your Home

When you’re redecorating or remodelling your home, lighting is often one of the last things on your mind, yet it’s one of the most important considerations of any project. Whether you’re renovating a basement on a budget or adding a new room to your home, planning your lighting is crucial. Not only does it set the mood of your space, but it also impacts your electrical system.

Types of Home Lighting

Lighting in your home generally falls into three main categories: General (Ambient), Task, and Accent. The right combination of these three can create a beautiful layered lighting look, in addition to practicality and functionality.

Ambient: This is the main source of light that illuminates the entire room and provides overall brightness. Common sources include overhead ceiling lights, flush mount fixtures, and energy-efficient LEDs. Dimmer switches are a great addition to your general lighting setup, as they allow you to adjust the light intensity depending on the time of day or the mood you want to create.
Task: This type of lighting is focused on specific areas. Examples include under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen, pendant lights above an island, or desk lamps in an office. When designing task lighting, it’s important to think about positioning to avoid glare. Ensure bulbs are bright enough for your tasks, but not too bright that they cause discomfort. Going for a lower kelvin temperature (warmer lighting) may be easier on the eyes and a better option for task lighting.
Accent: Accent lighting is used to highlight key features of your home, such as artwork and architectural details. It adds dimension and visual interest to a room. For example, picture lights above art, wall sconces highlighting the texture of a brick wall, or floor cans casting light on staircases.

Why You Should Consider Mutliway Light Switches

Multiway switching is a practical and convenient feature to include in your home’s electrical system, especially in rooms where you need to control lighting from two or more locations. Here are a few reasons why you should consider a multiway switch.

Enhanced Convenience and Accessibility: A 3-way light switch allows you to control the same light fixture from two different locations and a 4-way light switch allows you to control the same light fixture from three different locations. This is especially useful in areas you enter and exit frequently, such as hallways, staircases and bedrooms.
Cost-Effective Upgrade: Installing a multiway light switch isn’t a major electrical upgrade and is typically an affordable option. It offers a lot of value in terms of improved functionality and convenience for relatively little cost compared to other home upgrades.

Room-Specific Lighting Recommendations

Living Spaces

Electrical Needs: In larger rooms, ensure you have enough circuits to support both general and accent lighting, especially if you’re using high-wattage fixtures or dimmer switches.
Lighting Types: Recessed lighting, semi-flush mounts, pot lights or track lights can provide ambient light, while floor lamps or wall-mounted sconces work well for adding visual interest.
Electrical Considerations: Use low-voltage LED lighting for more energy-efficient lighting that still creates a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Kitchen

Electrical Needs: Ensure your service panel can handle under-cabinet lighting, pendant lights, and possibly task lighting above work surfaces.
Lighting Types: LED tubes or fixtures work well for under-cabinet lighting. Pendant lights or downlights above your kitchen island, sink, and stove are a great option.
Electrical Considerations: For safe and effective lighting, ensure you install GFCI outlets where necessary, especially around any wet areas. GFCI outlets are water-safe outlets.

Bathroom

Electrical Needs: Bathrooms require lighting that prevents shadows. This may require specific circuits for lighting around mirrors, above the tub, and in other wet areas. Installing a shower light can also be a great option for functionality while showering.
Lighting Types: Use soft white LED around mirrors for even, shadow-free lighting. Install dimmer switches to control the lighting depending on your needs.
Electrical Considerations: If you’re installing lighting in a bathroom, make sure all fixtures meet the local electrical code for wet areas to ensure safety and prevent electrical hazards. This includes GFCI outlets, which are installed according to the standard distances from showers and sinks.

Bedroom

Electrical Needs: A well-lit bedroom should have enough outlets for task lighting. Ensure you have wall-mounted switches near the bed for easy control of lighting without needing to get out of bed.
Lighting Types: Consider adjustable bedside lamps or wall sconces for accent and task lighting, in addition to overhead ceiling lights for general lighting. Installing a ceiling fan with integrated lighting can also be a great bedroom option for hot summer days.
Electrical Considerations: If you’re installing track lighting or any high-wattage lights, make sure your electrical circuits can accommodate them.

Desk Lighting

Electrical Needs: Desk lighting should be bright but free of glare. Ensure your desk area has an outlet within easy reach.
Lighting Types: Use adjustable desk lamps and ambient overhead lighting to balance the light. Be mindful of the light’s direction to avoid shadows.
Electrical Considerations: If there’s a shelf above the desk, consider installing lighting strips to illuminate the space effectively, this can also add visual interest and accent lighting.

Effective lighting is an essential component of any home remodelling project, but it requires thoughtful planning, both in terms of design and electrical needs. Consulting a professional lighting installation service, like Floodlight Electric, can help provide you with the best electrical solutions to enhance functionality and safety.

If you need help designing your lighting system, our experienced team is here to assist. Book a consultation today: https://floodlightelectricottawa.com/contact-floodlight/